Ohio State Buckeyes (21-8 SU, 13-14-1 ATS) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (15-14 SU, 12-15 ATS)
Date and Time: 03-04-15, 6pm EST
Where: Bryce Jordan Center
TV: Big 10 Network
by Mike (@misterquinnbets) Basketball Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: OSU -5/PSU +5
Over/Under Total: 131.5
Tonight’s game between the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions falls into one of my favorite handicapping angles…Buy Low/Sell High. Coming into their Senior Night, Penn State has dropped five straight, including an OT home loss to Iowa only days ago, and have only covered once since February 7th. Ohio State comes into Happy Valley winners of their last two, including a nice comeback victory the other day against an upstart Boilermaker team from Purdue. With OSU eyeing up the Big 10 tourney and beyond, PSU is trying to keep their heads above the .500 mark. This is a classic Buy Low/Sell High spot involving both teams.
D’Angelo Russell has wowed the college basketball scene this year, but the Buckeyes have been less than impressive on the road, only posting a 2-6-1 ATS record away from Columbus and losing outright three of their last four. With a look ahead to their final regular season game on Sunday at home against conference leader Wisconsin, it is probable that they will roll over here against the Nittany Lions, whom you should get a full effort as they try to save the job of their beloved head coach. D.J. Newbill has been Mr. Everything for Penn State this season and the senior will for sure want to end his last game on the Bryce Jordan Center floor with a W.
When these teams faced each other a few weeks ago, Ohio State made more free throws than Penn State attempted and rolled to a 20 point victory, easily covering the 11.5. Newbill did not have a great game, even though PSU grabbed more offensive boards. PSU allowed higher FG and 3pt % in that game than they have on average for the season. With the situation strongly in Penn State’s favor this time around in State College, the performance and result should be much different.
Mike’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Penn State +5.
